Based on the responses of your group, frame the issue of mandated mental health treatment. How would you describe the issue and your policy recommendations? Who is affected and how? What are the main causes? What are some potential solutions? How is this related to social justice?
After doing some preliminary research on the The Lanterman-Petris-Short Act and Laura’s Law, I was able to form an understanding and stance on these two pieces of legislation. The Lanterman-Petris-Short Act essentially “established a new system for involuntary civil commitments for the mentally ill in California and attempted to move treatment from state hospitals to a community-based approach while balancing civil liberties for those needing treatment” according to this government website. (Links to an external site.) On the other hand Laura’s Law is “California’s state law that provides community-based, assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) to a small population of individuals who meet strict legal criteria and who – as a result of their mental illness – are unable to voluntarily access community mental health services” according to the Treatment Advocacy Center (Links to an external site.). After much thought, I don’t feel as if civil commitments for residential treatment should be expanded for a few reasons, however, I do think that what we currently is manageable and at times does work. Civil commitment, the legal process by which people with serious mental illnesses are hospitalized or required to receive treatment without their consent (Links to an external site.), stirs some controversies for obvious reasons. For those with extreme and draining mental health issues civil commitments are necessary as the person themselves might not be able to support themselves any longer or might be a threat to others or themselves, but then the questions arise on how they will afford it, if their freedom is compromised, and will this treatment truly be effective. In addition, involuntary commitment may offer a short term outcome, but how it will affect the person in the long run is another concern. Ultimately, I feel that it should not be expanded and there are other methods that may be more affective and cost efficient. Some of these methods, according to The Journal of American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, (Links to an external site.) can range from peer engagement, citizenship interventions, and mental health outreach. Furthermore, moving on to the question if mandated outpatient treatment should be expanded, I personally think it should as it offers, “an ethical and effective method shown to be helpful with individuals who have mental illness and are non-adherent to treatment. Expanding its use in appropriate situations is in the best interest of those with serious mental illness and society in general” according to PubMed (Links to an external site.). This approach could be involuntary or voluntary depending on the nature of the person and their mental illness, but I believe this approach is more ethical and effective. However, if someone refuses any treatment in general, others and the patients themselves may be at risk. Some may refuse treatment because of the costs that accompany it and others might lack the desire to get and feel better. However, its important to note that everyone has the right to refuse treatment, even if that means their illness may progress and get worse. as this website (Links to an external site.) states, “As long as the patient has been given all the relevant information about his or her treatment options and knows the risks and benefits of each option, including the risks and benefits of turning down treatment, the patient’s wishes come first”. Lastly, mandated mental health treatment inevitably has certain pros and cons. The pros can range from improving quality of life, reduced harm from self and others, and improved relationships. On the other hand, the cons of mandated mental health treatment can be how costly it can be at times, the stigma that follows it, and how effective the treatment truly is.
Based on the responses of your group, frame the issue of mandated mental health treatment. How would you describe the issue and your policy recommendations? Who is affected and how? What are the main causes? What are some potential solutions? How is this related to social justice? and this is the questions
0 comments